Bowling Green resident faces charge of bank fraud over checks

11/8/2006

A Bowling Green man was charged yesterday in U.S. District Court in Toledo with bank fraud for a check-kiting scheme involving thousands of dollars and two area banks.

A bill of information was filed accusing Richard Brechmacher of depositing 101 worthless checks totaling $191,050 at the banks in the first six months of 2004. U.S. attorneys claim Mr. Brechmacher created fictitious balances in checking accounts at Sky Bank and First National Bank of Pandora, and deposited and cashed checks between the financial institutions.

The scheme caused Bowling Green-based Sky Bank to lose $9,350, the bill of information alleges. A bill of information is a charging document a defendant typically agrees to rather than having a case presented before a grand jury.

A check-kiting scheme commonly involves a bank customer writing checks on accounts and quickly withdrawing the money before the checks can clear. Done repeatedly, it can confuse bankers and artificially inflate the true value of the accounts.

Rex Huffman, an attorney representing Mr. Brechmacher, wouldn't comment about the information but said his client made restitution to the financial institution that incurred a loss.

A court appearance for Mr. Brechmacher has not been scheduled.